Social Justice Books

Critically reviewed selection of multicultural and social justice books for children, young adults, and educators.

Tito Puente: Mambo King / Rey del Mambo

Reviewed by Sujei Lugo Review Source: Latinx in Kid Lit Book Author: Monica Brown Brown was presented with the challenge of summarizing Tito Puente’s life and music career in a picture book, and with the collaboration of Rafael López and his lovely illustrations, she succeeded wonderfully. What makes this picture book stand out is how beautifully words […]

Juana & Lucas

Reviewed by: Becky Villareal Review Source: Latinx in Kid Lit Book Author: Juana & Lucas by Juana Medina is a colorful adventure through the life of young Juana as she learns to speak and read “The English.” Juana Medina sprinkles cognates throughout the book using them to their full potential. Since they are placed strategically, it […]

Kamik Joins the Pack

Reviewed by Debbie Reese Review Source: American Indians in Children’s Literature Book Author: Kamik Joins the Pack was in my mail today. Adapted from the memories of Darryl Baker, who is Inuit, the story is the third in Inhabit Media’s series featuring Jake and his pup, Kamik. I first met Kamik in 2013, in Kamik: An Inuit Puppy Story. Jake had […]

All Around Us

Reviewed by: Beverly Slapin Review Source: De Colores: The Raza Experience in Books for Children Book Author: In this warm, gentle story that celebrates family, culture, community and the connectedness of all things, a young girl and her grandfather work side by side in their vegetable garden, hang out in their backyard, walk around their […]

Little Night/Nochecita

Reviewed by: Beverly Slapin Review Source: De Colores: The Raza Experience in Books for Children Book Author: In this beautiful inverted go-to-bed story, full of magical realism and lots of love, Mamá Cielo (Mother Sky) convinces her young daughter, Nochecita (Little Night) to come out and darken the sky so that everyone can sleep. While Morales […]

The Little Doctor / El Doctorcito

Reviewed by Elena Young Review Source: Teaching for Change Book Author: Reviewer Elena Young is a volunteer with Teaching for Change and aspires to be a social studies teacher. The Little Doctor/El Doctorcito is about a child (Salvador) and his grandmother navigating the health care system in the United States. Salvador’s grandmother asks him to accompany […]